Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog of the Day:
Sapphire!
Meme of the day: Sassy pups!
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Why Do Dogs Love Your Shoes? It's More Than Just a Naughty Habit
You walk in the door after a long day, drop your bag, and kick off your shoes. You finally get to sit down for a minute, and that's when you see it. Your dog, tail wagging and a mischievous glint in their eyes, is trotting toward you with one of your shoes dangling from their mouth.
It's a classic dog behavior, and it often leaves us wondering, "Why do they do that?" While it can be frustrating, there are some very good reasons behind your dog's fascination with your footwear.
The Irresistible Scent
Dogs experience the world primarily through their noses, and your shoes are a treasure trove of information. They carry your unique scent, which is incredibly comforting and important to your dog. That scent is a mix of your personal pheromones, the places you've been, and the activities you've done. When your dog chews on your shoe, they're essentially giving themselves a dose of "you." It’s like a security blanket, and it helps them feel close to you even when you're not around.
A Satisfying Texture
Think about the different textures of a shoe—the laces, the leather, the rubber sole. For a dog, especially a puppy, this variety is incredibly stimulating. Chewing is a natural and necessary behavior for dogs. It helps relieve stress and anxiety, strengthens their jaws, and keeps their teeth clean. Your shoes, with their mix of soft and hard materials, offer a satisfying chew that's just the right amount of challenging.
The Thrill of the "Toy"
To your dog, your shoe is a fantastic, ready-made toy. It's often the perfect size and shape to carry around, and it's something that belongs to you, which makes it even more special. When they pick up your shoe and run away with it, they're often trying to engage you in a game of chase. It's a way for them to initiate play and get your attention. They see it as a fun, interactive activity, not as a way to destroy your belongings.
What You Can Do
Understanding why your dog likes your shoes can help you address the behavior without getting frustrated. The goal is to redirect their energy and provide them with better options.
Offer appealing alternatives. Give your dog a variety of appropriate chew toys with different textures. This could be a sturdy rubber toy, a rope toy, or a plush toy. Rotate them regularly to keep things interesting.
Encourage proper play. When you see your dog go for your shoes, calmly redirect them to one of their own toys. Praise them when they choose the right option.
Make your shoes less accessible. The easiest solution is prevention. Keep your shoes in a closet, a shoe rack, or a closed-off room where your dog can't get to them.
So the next time you see your dog with your shoe in their mouth, try to see it from their perspective. They aren't trying to be a nuisance; they’re trying to connect with you, soothe themselves, and enjoy a good chew. A little understanding can go a long way in turning a frustrating habit into a moment of playful connection.
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Viva - Ground Beef for Dogs and Ground Chicken for Dogs and Cats for potential Salmonella and Listeria contamination.
Savage Pet - Cat Food Chicken for potential bird flu exposure.
Wild Coast Raw - Frozen Boneless Free-Range Chicken Formula raw pet food for cats, for possible bird flu exposure.
The Smile Section
Family Photo of the Day:
Argus!
We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
Share our newsletter with your friends!
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Meme of the day: @kiskaandkoda
